I recalled a family memory and got a glimpse of our Lord Jesus.
My wife ran her first 5K a few years ago. Before attempting the race, she signed up for a training program that was sponsored by a local purveyor of running gear. They assigned her to a coach and group of fellow trainees. As a group they met with the coach for several weeks. During that time they acquired the essential equipment and practiced running.
When race day came, the coach assembled the group at the starting line. They set out together. As the group spread out during the race, he went with the leaders and then dropped back to encourage those with a slower pace. Back and forth he went. As my wife began the last stretch, struggling but still running, he appeared beside her and matched her pace. He stayed alongside until she neared the finish line, then dropped back once again. He persisted in this way until the whole group finished the race.
In remembering this event, it occured to me that Jesus is like that coach. He provides us with everything we need and supports us all along the way. Or, to use the metaphor of the wilderness trail, Jesus is like the expert hiker who makes sure that we have the essential equipment and provides support along the way. Jesus also is the one who blazed the trails. And he awaits us at the end. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, with us from start to finish and at all points in between.
The last few blog posts had to do with prayer, which is one of those essential pieces of equipment. This post gives an example of seeing Christ in everyday things. In the next post I plan to say something about another essential item: scripture.
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